Methods of STEM Education*

Target Grade(s): K-12

All Endeavor Educators are required to take this course.

Learn the importance of infusing STEM in your education context and develop a foundation for success through this introduction to theory and practice for teaching, learning, and assessing integrated STEM education. Visit the history of science and STEM education reforms, and engage in a variety of activities to gain experiences with STEM content and practices in unique contexts. Explore connections between Next Generation Science Standards and Common Core State Standards with data-driven investigations and tools such as engineering design in K-12 learning environments. Learn to use instructional technologies and technology education as tools for promoting best-practices of "STEM pedagogical strategies" and student understanding in STEM disciplines.

The E in STEM: Meaningful Content for Engineering

Target Grade(s): K-12

Learn how to use engineering to make your classroom come alive. Bridge and teach math and science concepts through exciting applications in the Engineering Design Process where you and your students design, test, and evaluate models and real-life applications. Activities are hands-on and emphasize the reciprocities between science, technology, engineering, and mathematics in formal design challenges. Educators enrich classroom curriculum with elements of design in science, mathematics, or technology activities, addressing important Next Generation Science Standards' engineering design practices.

Action Research in the STEM Classroom**

**A Capstone Course requirement "option", this course may be part of joint Master's Degree programs, or Endeavor's "5-course" certificate program earning Research Distinction and an award.

Prerequisite: Methods of STEM Education

Target Grade(s): K-12

All Endeavor Educators earning graduate credit are required to take this course or the Leadership Seminar course.

Conduct research in your educational setting to examine some aspect of STEM teaching and learning. Design and enact action research by reviewing background literature, formulating research questions, designing a study, collecting data, completing a thorough analysis, and reporting findings. You may be encouraged to prepare to present your research at an appropriate education conference and/or to submit work to research publications.

Climate Change with NSF SPRINTT

Target Grade(s): 6-12

Sponsored by:
National Science Foundation
(NSF Award 0732793)

Award-winning curriculum and eloquent, online student investigations help students study science concepts emphasized in the Next Generation Science Standards, in the context of Earth's Polar Regions to better understand the complexity of Earth's climate and how it is changing. View the Earth using real scientific data from satellites and western researchers. Then, consider the lens of indigenous peoples of the Arctic. Examine tons of data and changes in ice, permafrost, weather patterns, biological change, and more as you conduct research with simple-to-use, web-based instructional tools, using authentic data sets and models to study our planet's past, present, and future climate. Interdisciplinary investigations address many Common Core State Standards in reading, writing, science, and technical subjects as well as mathematics in the context of climate science.

Exploring Mars: A New Twist on Science (or Math)

Target Grade(s): K-12

Exploring Mars to Understand Earth

Use a wealth of data sets and technological tools to explore and understand features of Earth’s neighbor, the Red Planet. Look for and study the physical and chemical evidence of water and ice; compare erosion patterns on Mars and Earth; and make inferences about the planet's history as you study both its geologic features, including volcanoes and craters, and the physics of the atmosphere. Teach Next Generation Science Standards topics in Earth, physical, and chemical science integrating mathematics, in the context of Mars using recent data from Curiosity Rover and other missions.

NASA Project 3D-VIEW

This comprehensive, award-winning, research-based, science classroom curriculum, including our commissioned authors’ development of five (5) non-fiction readers that serve the Common Core, serves grades 5-6, up to 7-8. The curriculum formally studies each of Earth's spheres: the atmosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere, and lithosphere. Utilize 3D animations, stereophotographs, and other simple instructional technology tools to improve student understandings of Next Generation Science Standards topics including weathering, erosion and deposition; weather; plate tectonics; renewable and nonrenewable resources and dozens more. You and your students will learn how Earth's spheres interact through both the material cycles and energy flow.

Physical Science in Motion: Classroom Applications

Participants learn to solve problems relating to one-dimensional motion; become acquainted with and apply Newton's Laws of Motion and equilibrium of forces; learn about constant acceleration and gravitational acceleration; investigate concepts in aerodynamics; and learn about two-dimensional motion. Participants will use free, simple-to-use, software simulations from NASA Glenn Research Center, which help to present these concepts for you, and, then, your students, in the context of aeronautics, including airplane design, rocketry, sports, and more. A carefully developed resource page provides access to excellent resources and engaging activities for implementing course content in your classroom with important connections to Next Generation Science Standards and Common Core mathematics.

Coding, Robotics, and 1:1 Devices

Target Grade(s): K-12

Learn applications of Coding as a mathematics pedagogy, explore opportunities for Robotics, and learn cutting-edge implementation of One-to-One Devices (1:1) in K-12 classrooms.

Participants learn about and explore best practices in the newest learning pedagogies and technologies. Whether you are already involved, or looking to integrate these cutting-edge tools and strategies for the classroom, you will begin to expand your reach for enhancing student learning. Scaffolded to allow success at all grade levels, Coding, Robotics, and 1:1 Devices offers resources for application into elementary, middle, and high school. Participants will interact with no-fee computer programming, robotics opportunities, and the latest uses of devices. All participants have the opportunity to work with innovative technologies and interact with talented educators, practitioners and special guests who are already making a difference in K-12 classrooms.

Diversity and Equity in STEM Education

Target Grade(s): K-12

Classrooms comprise individual learners, each bringing their own culture and experiences to the learning environment. The value and strength of diversity has become increasingly described in educational literature. This course introduces teachers to the curriculum and pedagogical issues relevant to race, language, gender, and socio-economic differences. Participants apply content and pedagogy involving science and mathematics contexts for effective learning. STEM activities will integrate meaningful, engaging practices for teaching diverse learners. The course is differentiated for elementary and secondary school educators to provide relevant connections, to be directly applied, in each participant’s classroom.

Independent Study

Target Grade(s): K-12

Eligible Endeavor Educators embark on Endeavor Summer Internships at NASA Centers across the Nation or with special assignments designed to promote leadership and systemic changes in school districts.

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Lessons from the Ocean: Science on the Water Planet

Target Grade(s): 2-High School

Bring the ocean into your classroom by using Earth's waters as a context for standards-based STEM content.

The ocean is critical to the functioning of the Earth system, and is an authentically integrated context for learning about topics such as density, weather and climate, heat transport, environmental issues, biogeochemical cycles, mathematics, and much more. Access a myriad of data sets to apply science concepts and make connections between the ocean and atmosphere, living and nonliving parameters, and life on land, as well as in the deep sea. Use the context of the ocean to teach Next Generation Science Standards topics with deep understanding and meaning for learners.

Life and Marine Science: Tracking Live Marine Animals

Follow marine animals (e.g., polar bears, sea turtles, sharks, and whales) in real-time, and apply life and Earth science topics to the ocean. Study topics such as ecosystems, biodiversity, cell structures, food webs, and conservation, as you make connections to ocean currents, seafloor features, density and more. Discover the importance of the ocean to humans, as well as our impacts, both positive and negative, on marine environments. The in-depth use of data lends itself to Next Generation Science Standards by integrating instructional technology with life, Earth and physical science.

Life in Space: NASA ISS and Astrobiology

Target Grade(s): K-12

The International Space Station (ISS) is an amazing undertaking comprising technology, engineering, science and math--the perfect context for exciting students for learning. NASA research leads to technological advances on Earth and in human space exploration. As NASA plans for manned missions to Mars, scientists explore our solar system and beyond for determining if and where life could exist. Extremophiles are fascinating for teaching Earth science in a context for astrobiology research. The course explores how space travel impacts the human body; growing food in space; engineering protection from radiation, and searching for habitable environments. With its application of subject matter, it offers excellent resources and interactions with NASA scientists, and data for educators to bring the exciting context of space travel to the classroom.

Life with Earth Science: Real-time Animal Migration

Track the movement of birds and land animals all over the world, using NASA remote-sensing satellite imagery. Explain their movement through the study of landforms, weather features, seasonal changes, natural resources, and other factors that influence the movements of animals. Meet Next Generation Science Standards performance expectations and infuse data into your teaching as you become adept at interpreting many different data sets, from satellite imagery including vegetation cover, topographical maps, meteorological images, and more.

Math Connections to STEM Education

Target Grade(s): K-12

The course introduces a wealth of applied mathematics exercises and activities relevant to integrated STEM assets and science activities. Some are in the realm of topics seen in Earth and Space science and physics. Live presenters break down authentic examples and projects, and demonstrate to educators how problems incorporate Common Core State Standards-based mathematics with applications that meet Next Generation Science Standards performance expectations. Educators survey math and science examples and tools as the course promotes the use of applied mathematics in science, or science in mathematics, to meet content goals in the classroom.

NASA Astronomy and Space Science

Target Grade(s): K-12

Harness your students' enthusiasm for space and astronomy by using astronomical images to enrich your physical, Earth, and life science courses. Measure the speed of an asteroid, learn about erosion on Mars, and see the tracers of life that are visible from space. In this course, we explore the many ways in which real data from NASA's space science and astronomy missions can be used to teach math and science content in your classroom, meeting science and math standards in Next Generation Science Standards and Common Core State Standards. Through the use of cutting-edge technology tools, and with a NASA scientist visiting our class, you will not only learn more about the universe, you will learn how to bring the universe into your education context.

NASA Physics for Real Beginners: Earth, Moon, and Space

Target Grade(s): 4-9

Gain an introduction to physics in this conceptual course that uses NASA’s space initiatives as the context for content. Learn about gravitation between celestial bodies, how to get a satellite into orbit, what it takes to blast off into space, and more. This course will discuss these and related topics while exploring NASA content related to space and the Hubble Space Telescope and Kepler Missions. Bring cutting-edge examples to your classroom while addressing Next Generation Science Standards performance expectations.

NASA's Tracking a Solar Storm: The Science of the Sun

Target Grade(s): 5-High School

Making Sun-Earth Connections

Make Sun-Earth connections as you monitor abrupt changes on the Sun when it creates solar flares and coronal mass ejections, blasting powerful "solar storms" into space. NASA satellites predict these storms in order to protect astronauts, the International Space Station, and power grids. Learn about Sun-Earth relationships and content using online NASA resources. Virtually meet NASA guest solar scientists and educators. Bring years of NASA's observations and authentic data with the story of the Sun into your classroom as an engaging context for teaching Next Generation Science Standards topics.

Reading and Writing in the Science Classroom

Target Grade(s): 2-9

Discuss and analyze the ways that literacy and science connect in the science classroom, and highlight how reading and writing can be used to increase students' understanding of science content. Focus on how to integrate important literacy skills from Common Core State Standards in your science and STEM classroom to address content standards from Next Generation Science Standards. Cutting-edge strategies and well-founded principles pave the way to success with non-fiction reading material. The manner in which information and scientific content is presented shapes student success, not just for reading, but student writing, organization, and presentation.

STEM Leadership Seminar**

**A Capstone Course requirement "option", this course may be part of joint Master's Degree programs, or Endeavor's "5-course" certificate program earning Leadership Distinction and an award.

Target Grade(s): K-12

A special two-session course guides Endeavor Educators to perform short-term STEM episodic professional development of their choosing. The goal is to help to infuse systemic change and STEM pedagogy to peers in the building, school district, or region. Collaboration and online feedback offer guidance necessary to achieve outcomes and success.

The course teaches content in a math curriculum that uses weather data. WDLC demonstrates increases in student performance in grade 4 mathematics. Collect, access, and interpret current real-time imagery, maps and data. Make connections from weather to learn Common Core-based mathematics using various STEM pedagogical strategies. Learn the basics of clouds, air masses, humidity, fronts, pressure, jet stream, and climatic patterns as you apply these ideas to math concepts such as measurement, fractions, number sense, data collection, and analysis.

** Endeavor educators in the Master's
Degree track, or the 5-course
STEM Certificate track, are required
to take Action Research in the STEMClassroom or STEM Leadership Seminar
as the culminating course.